BIRMINGHAM, Mich. (WXYZ) — A couple of years ago the Birmingham United hockey team decided to have a First Responders game night to honor those that serve the Birmingham and surrounding communities, a very nice gesture by some young men, but now the community got ahold of it and they are taking it to the next level.
“It’s a lesson they can carry for their whole life, no matter what they learn in hockey this will carry wishing hockey and outside of it and they can carry it forward,” Bloomfield Hills resident John Hale said.
Cori and John Hale saw what the boys did over the past few years, stopping by fire and police departments in their area to not only invite them to attend the event, but to let them know the game is in their honor. There will be raffles and prizes awarded to attendees, and this year, they’re selecting one person from each community as first responder of the year.
“What we’ve always tried to do with these kids is teach them responsibility, dedication both off and on the ice. Some of these kids don’t really know what the police officers do, they don’t have a connection to the police officers or the firemen, and by going out to the stations passing out flyers they get to have an interaction with them,” Birmingham United Assistant Coach Nate Resnick said.
“I think it’s really great to give them more recognition to the officers and firefighters and such, for all they do for us, they don’t really get as much recognition as they should so I think the whole idea is just great,” Senior JP Weber added.
“For us to be able to support the guys who go out there and risk their lives for us every night is really special to us and to see the community back us and back them is just really special,” Captain Jack Pesta said.
The event kicks off on Saturday night at the Birmingham Ice Arena and all are welcome.
